US Ambassador to UN Nikki Haley resigns

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley resigned Tuesday directly to President Donald Trump, according to multiple sources familiar with her decision, CNN reported.

After the initial reports, US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has resigned and will leave her post by the end of the year.

Sitting side-by-side in the Oval Office, Trump praised Haley as a "fantastic person" who has "done an incredible job" and said he would gladly welcome her back into his administration down the line.

"She's done a fantastic job and we've done a fantastic job together. We've solved a lot of problems and we're in the process of solving a lot of problems," Trump said. "She told me probably six months ago, 'You know maybe at end of the year -- at the end of the two year period, but by the end of the year I want to take a little time off, I want to take a break,'" he added.

Trump said Haley has "been very special to me" and praised her as "somebody that gets it."

Trump also said Haley could have her "pick" of administration posts if she ever decides she wants to rejoin his administration.

Haley said, "it has been an honour of a lifetime" serving as UN ambassador, but that it was time to depart the administration.

"There's no personal reason," she said, explaining her rationale for departing.

"It's very important for government officials to understand when it's time to step aside."

"I want to make sure this administration, this president, has the strongest person to fight," she said.

A senior State Department official said Haley told her staff of her decision this morning.

The former South Carolina governor was tapped as ambassador to the UN following Trump's election win despite supporting Florida Sen. Marco Rubio in her state's all-important 2016 presidential primary and later backing Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

During her more than a year-and-a-half on the job, she has repeatedly spoken her mind, whether it's going further on human rights than many of her administration colleagues or denouncing racism at home.